Mini Implants: A Smaller Solution for Specific Needs and Smile Enhancement

Mini dental implants are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional implants, particularly for those with specific needs and for enhancing smiles. As we move through 2024, the field of dental care continues to embrace mini-implants due to their several advantages and innovations that cater to a variety of dental issues.

What are Mini Implants?

Mini dental implants are small-sized implants that are designed for specific cases, offering a minimally invasive solution for patients. They are immediate-loading implants, meaning they can be placed as soon as a tooth is extracted, offering quicker results compared to traditional implants. These implants typically cost between $900 to $2500 per implant, which can vary based on factors like the type of implant and the complexity of the case.

Mini Implants vs Traditional Implants

• Dental implants come in two forms: standard implants and MDIs (mini dental implants). The main difference between standard implants and mini-implants is in their size, durability, and overall function.

• Traditional implants usually have two pieces, with a diameter of 3.25 to 5 millimeters. They're inserted into the bone socket of missing teeth with an external screw.

• Mini dental implants are solid, one-piece screws that are less than 3mm in diameter. They have a special ball-shaped end that protrudes from the jaw bone. Because of their smaller size, mini-implants are also called narrow-diameter implants or small-diameter implants (NDIs and SDIs).

The best person to help you decide on the best implant treatment is an experienced implant dentist. We’ve put together a few pros and cons of mini dental implants vs traditional dental implants to give you something to think about.

Advantages of Mini Dental Implants

One of the best things about mini-implants is that, unlike standard implants, they can be used for patients who’ve lost a lot of jaw bone structure. If you've been wearing dentures for a while, you might have lost a lot of the bone support in your jaw. This can cause your lower denture to become loose and not fit well. Therefore, if you've lost too much bone to make standard implants viable and you'd rather not go through with a grafting procedure, mini-implants could be the perfect solution for you! In such cases, mini-implants are the solution for denture wearers who want comfort, confidence, and security when wearing their lower denture.

Another great thing about mini-implants is that they eliminate the need for major surgery. The anchors are placed in the jaw during one relatively non-invasive treatment, so it's a much more comfortable experience for you. MDIs are designed to eliminate bone grafting and expedite the implant procedure, so you can get back to your normal routine in no time! other benefits of mini-implants include: 

• Less costly than traditional implants.
• They can be made to fit your existing dentures.
• High success rate.
• No additional or bonding agents are required. 

Disadvantages of Mini Implants 

Due to the smaller diameter of mini-implants, two MDIs are typically required to perform the same function as a single standard implant. This can result in slightly greater stress on the jaw bone and a longer healing period due to the altered weight distribution.  

Regular implants offer a more long-term solution than mini-implants, primarily due to their ability to distribute weight more effectively and place less long-term stress on the jaw bone. Conventional implants, with their larger surface area, also provide a stronger chewing force.

It is important to understand that rubber O-rings on dentures that fit around the mini-implant balls—used to fix teeth or dentures onto the mini-implants—will require replacement when they wear out or become loose. The more frequently you take your dentures out and put them back in, the more often you will need to have the O-rings replaced.

How are Mini Dental Implants Done?

• A full consultation is required. Our dentist will perform a comprehensive examination of your mouth and discuss your medical history.

• A 3D X-ray will be taken to determine if mini-implants are suitable for you. The dentist will need to assess your jawbone to ensure the implants are a good fit. The 360-degree view of the oral cavity provided by the X-ray is essential in surgical planning.

• The Surgical appointment. The dentist will need about 45 minutes to an hour for the procedure, including setup time and post-op advice. 

• A local anesthetic will then be administered. The procedure begins with the administration of an anesthetic to the gums and the preparation of the mini-implant sites. The implants are then placed manually, screwed into the jaw. Post-operative discomfort is minimal.

Recent Studies and Smile Enhancement

Recent studies have shown that placing four mini dental implants can help keep your teeth in place and reduce the chance of them moving around (PubMed Central). In short, mini dental implants are a great option for people with specific dental needs and a desire to enhance their smiles. They can be a good alternative to traditional implants, especially if you have concerns about bone density or volume. It depends on your mouth and jaw. If you have healthy teeth and gums, then you'll probably be fine with standard implants. But if you have some issues, you might need mini-implants. As with any dental procedure, it's important to talk to a dental professional to figure out the best way to handle each case.

Key takeaways

• There are pros and cons to both regular and mini-implants. The best choice for you depends on the condition of your mouth.
• If the tooth to be replaced is at the front, the dentist may agree to place a same-day mini-implant.
• One of the biggest advantages of mini-implants is their less invasive nature. They can be placed using a localized anesthetic. 
• Mini-implants are significantly smaller than traditional implants. 
• They are also quicker and easier to place, promote jawbone health, and look just like natural teeth.
• They can be used for patients who have lost a significant amount of jaw bone structure. 

We would be happy to provide you with guidance!

Implants help maintain the strength of the jawbone by replacing all of the missing tooth structure, including the root. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), 35 million people in the United States have lost all of their upper teeth, all of their lower teeth, or both. If you want to make an informed decision, contact Turkey Luxury Clinics. Our dentists have extensive experience with both mini-implants and standard implants.